Maine is changing the guide that governs student learning, and it wants the public’s help in deciding what knowledge should stay, go or be added.
“Our goal is to focus more on what is essential,” said Deputy Education Commissioner Patrick Phillips.
The Maine Learning Results was established in 1997 as a complete system of educational standards for public school students. Phased in over several years, the 102-page guide details what students should learn in every major subject.
State officials are now reviewing the Learning Results, a legislative requirement from 1997.
Teachers, parents and others can now check out proposed changes to English, math, and health and physical education on the Department of Education’s Web site. A survey allows people to comment on the changes until April 15.
New standards for social studies, career prep, foreign languages, science and technology, visual and performing arts will be posted on the site April 1 and will be available for comment through May.
Experts and educators will review the comments over the summer and plan to make final changes to the Learning Results next winter. The new guide will be presented to the Legislature for a vote in early 2007.
Officials expect that most of the original learning standards will stay, but some will be erased to allow for more in-depth learning. New standards will place a greater emphasis on problem solving, communication skills and other knowledge deemed necessary for the 21st century.
Comments are no longer available on this story